August 5, 2020
Dear Sister FAWCO Clubs and FAUSA Members,
Many of you have seen the news about the horrific explosion that occurred yesterday in Beirut, Lebanon. Words cannot express how devastated AWC Lebanon members are. Everyone has been impacted, one way or another, by this tragedy. A few were injured, some have terrible damage to their homes, many lost windows in their homes and buildings, and if they escaped untouched, they know someone who has suffered one loss or another. We are overwhelmed by unbearable sadness at what is happening to our adopted home.
This catastrophe comes on the heels of a major disaster that is taking place in Lebanon as the political, economic, and social fabric of the country is unraveling. We want to make you aware of the dire situation that the Lebanese are facing. The people of this tiny country are facing multiple assaults: 30% of the population are Syrian refugees who have already placed a burden on all available resources, the October 2019 revolution against the corrupt politicians who have bankrupted the country, the pandemic, and now this latest blow. Although Lebanon was coping with hosting the largest refugee population per capita in the world, managing a resurgence of COVID-19, these were just accelerants to an untenable political and financial situation that is leading to the collapse of Lebanon as we know it. Yesterday’s explosion and its human toll are just adding to the misery and despair the Lebanese have fallen into, and they need help getting back onto their feet.
The drop in the value of the Lebanese Lira against the US Dollar has resulted in draconian measures from the banking sector that impact the daily lives of all those living in Lebanon.
- People are starving and cannot feed their families because food prices have skyrocketed, and many staples are becoming scarce, especially after the explosion which destroyed wheat and rice supplies.
- There is 50% unemployment and many who still have their jobs are working for reduced salaries.
- Domestic migrant workers have lost their jobs and have been dumped on the street with no money, food or shelter, and no way to return to their countries.
- The refugee population, already in dire need, is in a much worse situation than ever before.
- There are over 20 hours of power cuts every day due to fuel shortages.
AWC Lebanon would like your help to find a way to direct much needed aid to the local, grassroots NGOs that are on the frontlines of this growing catastrophe. We understand that the pandemic has changed many lives, all over the world, not just in Lebanon. Unfortunately, Lebanon is at the head of the pack, on the verge of ruin, condemning millions to poverty and starvation. We are not asking your club to fundraise or to divert your club funds from FAWCO’s Target Project or The FAWCO Foundation, we are asking for you to learn the facts and to discuss what is happening in Lebanon.
Most importantly, we would like to ask you to share this information. Until yesterday, Lebanon has not been in the news as updates on the pandemic overtake our screens. Now that you know more, and if you are able, please consider making an individual, personal contribution to one of the NGOs that AWC Lebanon has vetted and worked with over the years. (***See List of Vetted Non-Government Organizations.) If that is not possible, please pass on this letter.
For the full story, please see *** Lebanon in Crisis. Learn about what is going on, what is actually happening on the ground through the stories from AWC Lebanon members and their family and friends and check out the list of links to news stories that your nightly news has probably not covered.
Thank you for letting us share our story with our sister FAWCO clubs.
AWC Lebanon